Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

People
on the Move

N°
99, December 2005

PONTIFICAL
Messagefor the 92nd World Day of Migrants and Refugees

“Migrations: a sign of the times”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Forty years ago the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council was closed, whose rich
teaching covers many areas of ecclesial life. In particular the Pastoral
Constitution Gaudium et Spes made a careful analysis of the complexities
of the world today, seeking the ways best suited to bring the Gospel message to
the men and women of today. To this end the Council Fathers in response to the
appeal of Blessed John XXIII undertook to examine the signs of the times and to
interpret them in the light of the Gospel so as to offer the new generations the
possibility of responding adequately to the eternal questions about this life
and the life to come and about just social relations (cf. Gaudium et Spes,
No. 4). One of the recognisable signs of the times today is undoubtedly
migration, a phenomenon which during the century just ended can be said to have
taken on structural characteristics, becoming an important factor of the labour
market world-wide, a consequence among other things of the enormous drive of
globalisation. Naturally in this “sign of the times” various factors play a
part. They include both internal and international migration, forced and
voluntary migration, legal and illegal migration, subject also to the scourge of
trafficking in human beings. Nor can the category of foreign students, whose
numbers increase every year in the world, be forgotten.

With regard to those who emigrate for economic reasons, a recent fact
deserving mention is the growing number of women involved
(“feminisation”). In the past it was mainly men who emigrated,
although there were always women too, but these emigrated in particular to
accompany their husbands or fathers or to join them wherever they were.
Today, although numerous situations of this nature still exist, female
emigration tends to become more and more autonomous. Women cross the
border of their homeland alone in search of work in another country.
Indeed it often happens that the migrant woman becomes the principal
source of income for her family. It is a fact that the presence of women
is especially prevalent in sectors that offer low salaries. If, then,
migrant workers are particularly vulnerable, this is even more so in the
case of women. The most common employment opportunities for women, other
than domestic work, consist in helping the elderly, caring for the sick
and work in the hotel sector. These, too, are areas where Christians are
called to dedicate themselves to assuring just treatment for migrant women
out of respect for their femininity in recognition of their equal rights.

In this context it is necessary to mention trafficking in human beings –
especially women – which flourishes where opportunities to improve their
standard of living or even to survive are limited. It becomes easy for the
trafficker to offer his own “services” to the victims, who often do not even
vaguely suspect what awaits them. In some cases there are women and girls who
are destined to be exploited almost like slaves in their work, and not
infrequently in the sex industry too. Though I cannot here closely examine the
analysis of the consequences of this aspect of migration, I make my own the
condemnation voiced by John Paul II against “the widespread hedonistic and
commercial culture which encourages the systematic exploitation of sexuality”
(Letter of Pope John Paul II to Women, 29th June 1995, No. 5).
This outlines a whole programme of redemption and liberation from which
Christians cannot withdraw.

Speaking of the other category of migrants – asylum seekers and refugees – I
wish to underline how the tendency is to stop at the question of their arrival
while disregarding the reasons for which they left their native land. The Church
sees this entire world of suffering and violence through the eyes of Jesus, who
was moved with pity at the sight of the crowds wandering as sheep without a
shepherd (cf. Mt 9,36). Hope, courage, love and “creativity in
charity” (Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, No. 50) must inspire
the necessary human and Christian efforts made to help these brothers and
sisters in their suffering. Their native Churches will demonstrate their concern
by sending pastoral agents of the same language and culture, in a dialogue
of charity with the particular Churches that welcome them.

In the light of today’s “signs of the times” particular attention should
be paid to the phenomenon of foreign students. Thanks among other factors to
foreign exchange programmes between universities, especially in Europe, their
number is growing, with consequent pastoral problems the Church cannot ignore.
This is especially true in the case of students coming from developing
countries, whose university experience can become an extraordinary occasion for
spiritual enrichment.

As I invoke divine assistance on those who, moved by the desire to contribute to
the promotion of a future of justice and peace in the world, spend their
energies in the field of pastoral care at the service of human mobility, I
impart to all as a sign of affection a special Apostolic Blessing.